HSBC Eco-Schools USA Climate Initiative

National Wildlife Federation and HSBC North America have come together to offer select schools in two regions of the United States - Mettawa/Chicago, Illinois and Buffalo, New York - an exciting opportunity to participate in the launch of the HSBC Eco-Schools USA Climate Initiative. This program is aimed at developing a global network of schools that are actively participating in learning about climate change and finding ways to reduce carbon emissions and energy use in their schools and local communities.

Ten schools in each of these targeted areas have been identified and will work with NWF and HSBC during the 2009-2010 school year. Each school will follow the Eco-Schools USA program and receive on-the-ground training to learn about the issues, how to assess their carbon footprint and how to implement carbon reduction action projects. Additionally, volunteers from local area HSBC offices who have been trained in how to implement an Eco-Schools program will work with the schools to conduct energy and carbon emission audits.

Participating schools will also be eligible to participate in the HSBC Eco-Code Poster Competition. This contest is a way for participating eco-schools to showcase their work on climate change. The contest will consist of two rounds - a national competition and an international competition and will have two age categories:

students aged 5 to 12

students aged 13 to 18

In the national contest, 1st, 2nd and 3rd places will be awarded cash prizes and 1st place in each category will go on to participate in the international competition. Winners will receive cash prizes that can be used to help implement on-the-ground carbon reduction projects. Winning entries will also be announced on the international Eco-Schools website.